Grant and Crawford set for debuts

Scotland international winger Coreen Grant and University of Strathclyde scrum-half Priya Crawford are set to make their first appearances for Glasgow Warriors tomorrow afternoon, after being named in the matchday 23 to take on Brython Thunder at Scotstoun.

The fixture – the club’s final home match in the 2023/24 competition – forms the first half of an historic Glasgow double-header, with the club’s men’s and women’s teams playing at the same stadium on the same day for the first time on Club of Origin night.

An unchanged front-row sees Ailie Tucker and Chloe Brown continue as the starting props, with Nikki Simpson packing down at hooker in a trio that produced an impressive showing in the last meeting between the two sides.

Sophie Anderson returns to the matchday squad to line up in the second-row, partnering West of Scotland product Ellie Williamson in an all-new partnership in the engine room.

The back-row trio continues as a unit for the second match in succession, as Holland Bogan and Izzy Hannay start either side of number eight Megan Hyland.

Rhea Clarke captains the side from scrum-half, alongside the ever-present Ceitidh Ainsworth, the Stirling County fly-half having started every match in the competition to date.

Giselle Chicot and Claudia McLaren continue their partnership in the midfield, the pair having dove-tailed to good effect against the Thunder in Colwyn Bay a fortnight ago.

Grant is selected on the wing after an agreed release from her Premiership Women’s Rugby club, Saracens, whilst Lucy MacRae shifts to full-back in a back-three completed by Roma Fraser, scorer of a spectacular brace last time out.

Strathclyde student Crawford is the only potential debutant awaiting her opportunity on the bench, the young talent having been called into the squad earlier this week for the first time.

Kaylee Fraser covers hooker, with Demi Swann and Debbie Lee joining the Corstorphine Cougars standout as the front-row cover.

Eve Thomson rotates to the bench after starting last time out, joining Hillhead Jordanhill club-mate Carla McDonald amongst the replacements.

Lucy Winter and Alex Love complete the matchday 23, with the duo completing a six-two split of forwards and backs on the bench.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Chris Laidlaw told glasgowwarriors.org: “The group have really applied themselves well over the last couple of weeks, as we prepare to go out and compete hard in the last two weeks of the competition.

“Coreen has slotted in really well this week in training, and we’re excited to see how she goes. Priya, too, has shown up really well – to have the experience within the programme and potentially make her debut is a credit to her and we’re looking forward to seeing her run on for the first time.

“To be part of the first-ever club double-header as we celebrate Club of Origin night is massively exciting for everyone in the group, and at the club – we can’t wait to run out tomorrow in front of a big crowd and give everyone a performance to cheer.”

Glasgow Warriors team to take on Brython Thunder at Scotstoun, Saturday 17 February, kick-off 4.30pm. Tickets available at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Ailie Tucker
2 Nikki Simpson
3 Chloe Brown
4 Sophie Anderson
5 Ellie Williamson
6 Holland Bogan
7 Izzy Hannay
8 Megan Hyland

9 Rhea Clarke (C)
10 Ceitidh Ainsworth
11 Roma Fraser
12 Giselle Chicot
13 Claudia McLaren
14 Coreen Grant
15 Lucy MacRae

Replacements

16 Kaylee Fraser
17 Demi Swann
18 Debbie Lee
19 Eve Thomson
20 Lucy Winter
21 Alex Love
22 Priya Crawford
23 Carla McDonald